Most Military Deaths Are Not From Combat

Since 2006, 16,000 military service members have died while on active duty. While some were killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, 72% of those deaths occurred outside of active combat zones. Of those deaths, 93% happened in the United States. It seems that service members are more at risk while on American soil than in combat or deployed What kills more service members than battle? Suicide. Estimates from the VA show that 22 veterans and active duty service members end their lives by suicide every day. While a soldier who is killed in combat gets full military honors, many times a veteran or soldier who takes their own life is ignored.

There is a stigma in the military surrounding mental health services. Seeking profeesional help is the best way to heal from trauma, but it's hard for some to ask. Many soldiers are hesitant to ask for assistance. After a deployment, most soldiers will come home with some form of mental disorder like depression, anxiety or PTSD. Most do not seek treatment, and those that do report that services are not up to par. Many family members of military personnel say their loved ones just got too tired and too ill to keep fighting for basic care.

I'm a writer living in the Boston area. My interests include cancer research, cardiology and neuroscience. I want to be part of using the Internet and social media to educate professionals and patients in a collaborative environment.